picturesque - like a picture; pleasing or charming to look at
tranquil - peaceful, calm
bustling - full of energetic and noisy activity magnificent - grand or majestic in appearance, quality, or action. ancient - very old; of a long time ago deserted - abandoned run-down - in very bad condition; dilapidated unspoilt - not changed or damaged by people shabby - showing signs of wear and tear alter - to change or modify abandoned - left behind reservoir - a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply to idle up to sth - (in vehicle) to move somewhere without use of the engine; idling to seize the moment - take the opportunity at the right time to plunge into - to jump into the water impromptu - without preparation to embody something - to represent something vibrancy - full of energy and enthusiasm disrepair - bad condition fingerprint of - the characteristic pattern of something sea swell - well-ordered waves formed by a weather event to peep - to look at slyly or secretly, especially through a small opening shutter - a device that opens and closes in front of the lens of a camera jumble - mix in a confused way ravine - deep, narrow gorge worn by running water cave dwelling - living or making a home in caves delight - a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction monastery - a building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows quaint - attractively unusual or old-fashioned encompass - to include refuge - shelter earthbound - unable to move away from the surface of the Earth stilt - a tall post used to elevate and support something insulator - a material that does not allow heat or electrons to move through it easily. dreary - depressing and boring poky - small and cramped understatement - the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is. amenities - comforts and conveniences infrastructure - the basic framework of a building or a system congestion - overcrowding; clogging tolls - fees to regenerate - to bring into existence again to loiter - hang around; linger cobbled street - a stoned street top-of-the-range - the most expensive of a group of similar products brand-new - completely new, especially not yet used secluded - hidden from general view or use awe-inspiring - giving a feeling of respect and amazement sprawling - spread out irregularly ramshackle - in deplorable condition slum - poor, crowded, and run-down urban neighborhoods Diamond Jubilee - celebration of 60 years in marriage to be in the same boat - to be in the same difficult situation cider - a beverage made from juice pressed from apples bemused - confused; bewildered swan song - farewell appearance; final creative work or performance big break - big opportunity to become famous suffer a setback - to have a minor or temporary failure twinkle - sparkle (in someone's eye) stage manager - the person who is completely in charge backstage during the rehearsals and performances stately - dignified, majestic inter alia - among other things ferociously - in a savagely fierce, cruel, or violent manner sustain - to support for an extended period of time fit the bill - to be suitable for a particular purpose dwell - to remain for a time; to reside; to focus attention on; to speak or write about at length camaraderie - mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together grip the listeners - to grab someone's attention uncomplacent - to be not satisfied with oneself beady eyes - small and bright, especially like a bird's eyes; drilling a given - an assumption that is taken for granted outset - beginning overleaf - on the other side of the page foyer - entrance hall erudite - learned; scholarly feat - achievement bathos - insincere or overly sentimental quality of writing/speech intended to evoke pity sans - without ghosted autobiography - autobiography written by someone else, other than the person described mellow - soft, gentle, pleasant octogenarian - person in his or her eighties irk - to annoy cuttings - pieces of newspapers remedy - A cure; something that heals monied - having much money; affluent longevity - long duration of life disparate - fundamentally different; entirely unlike eclectic - selecting from or made up from a variety of sources dismayed - struck with fear, dread, or consternation to fawn - to act slavishly submissive; to grovel formidable - inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable arresting - striking; eye-catching confer - to give, grant or bestow frugal - thrifty; economical in money matters bagpiper - someone who plays a pipe or the bagpipes masquerade - to wear a disguise; to put on a false appearance investiture - a ceremony in which a person formally receives the authority and symbols of an office bestow - to give as a gift unminuted - unrecorded yak - a type of ox that has very long hair as strong as a yak - very strong in a physical sense russet - reddish brown hue - a particular shade of a given color haymaking - the process of cutting and drying long grass to make hay shove-halfpenny - game played with coins